Pitting corrosion in austenitic and duplex stainless steels

Various electrochemical methods have been used to evaluate the pitting corrosion resistance of two austenitic and two duplex stainless steels. Testing has been performed in a purpose-built electrochemical cell which permits simultaneous evaluation of twelve specimens and in which crevice corrosion is avoided using a flushed-port design. A potential-independent critical pitting temperature below which pitting is not observed has been evaluated from potentiodynamic measurements, pitting potentials and pit induction times have also been evaluated at various temperatures above this critical value. Statistical treatment of the data has been used to evaluate the elementary pitting probability and pit generation rates. The good differentiation obtained using a large number of pitting potential measurements has permitted quantitative evaluation of the effect of testing and alloy variables. The surface finish is shown to have a significant effect on measured pitting resistance, as has the passivation time between specimen preparation and testing. The decrease in pitting resistance as a result of short-term sensitising heat treatment of the steels has also been evaluated.